Sarbananda Sonowal Reviews Key Maritime Projects
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal held a series of high-level review meetings in Mumbai to assess progress on major maritime initiatives.
The Minister reviewed operations and future strategies of key organisations including the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Ltd. (IPRCL), Indian Port Global Ltd. (IPGL), Mumbai Port Authority, and the Directorate General of Shipping.
A key highlight was the review of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. Shri Sonowal also held discussions with SCI’s leadership on fleet expansion and strategic planning aligned with Vision 2047, reaffirming SCI’s role in boosting India’s maritime self-reliance.
The Greenfield Vadhavan Port project was reviewed with JNPA officials, where the Minister urged fast-tracked execution to meet the Prime Minister’s vision of global maritime leadership. Similarly, performance updates of IPGL’s international ventures, including Chabahar Port in Iran and Sittwe Port in Myanmar, were discussed to strengthen India’s overseas port presence.
Shri Sonowal also evaluated IPRCL’s progress on port-linked rail connectivity projects, especially those supporting cargo movement and IWAI operations in Assam. He called for prioritisation in view of increasing cargo volumes.
In a separate meeting, the Minister engaged with the newly constituted National Shipping Board, emphasising its policy advisory role and expressing confidence in its contribution to shaping India's maritime future.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are working towards unearthing opportunities of the blue economy and enable our maritime sector to step up to become a major force in the world. All our agencies, organisations and teams are working towards realisation of this vision of PM Modi to transform our country as Viksit Bharat. We met to review our key projects and take measures towards swift realisation of these maritime goals,” the Shri Sonowal said.
